LIKE method acting greats Daniel Day Lewis, Dustin Hoffman or Robert De Niro, Australia’s Luke Arnold got so into the role of playing Michael Hutchence he remained in character even when the cameras stopped rolling.

Mallory Janesen who plays Helena Christensen on the final episode of Seven’s INXS Never Tear Us Apart on Sunday, said Arnold was so focused on playing Hutchence he stayed in character off set, with cast members even calling him “Michael” when the cameras were off.

“He was still Michael,” Jansen said.

“Even while we were eating catering, or out somewhere I would call him Michael.

“He was never out of character and so focused.”

A feel-good face slapSource:Supplied

But Jansen said Arnold was always wary of her after their first meeting resulted in a face slap.

“My first day and first scene with Luke was when I had to smack him across the face,” she said.

“To tell you the truth it felt so good.

“I didn’t hold back.

“I think every woman in their life wants to give a good face smack.

“So I can take that off my bucket list now.”

Jansen said playing Hutchence’s long time girlfriend, supermodel Helena Christensen was no easy feat.

Mallory Jansen as Helena Christensen in
INXS: Never Tear Us Apart...Source:Supplied

Studying her poses, and researching her “crazy Danish accent” for the part, Jansen said she felt the weight of the role just before filming started.

“I realised the gravity of it all, it is such a famous Australian story that everyone wants to watch and this was the biggest couple of their time - the rock star and supermodel - it was a match made in heaven.’’

“It was daunting to play Helena, I felt there was a lot of pressure, she was the most beautiful woman in the world — she still is — and they were big shoes to fill.”

But unlike most models who find the transition difficult and the work drying up, the Melbourne Chadwick model is proving to be a stayer, landing a series of roles in the US after her first audition circuit.

“I came over to Los Angeles last year like every other actor and was booked straight away for the sitcom Young and Hungry.

``Straight after I guest starred in a role for Baby Daddy, another US sitcom where I’m pulling gags in front of a live audience, it’s exhilarating.”